What is the best temperature to leave your AC on?

Author: Elizabeth Kling  |  Last update: Friday, April 18, 2025

When trying to find the most reasonable setting for your air conditioner, you have to start somewhere. And, the best spot to do it at is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Energy Star, it's an ideal temperature. 78 degrees keeps you fairly cool and comfortable during the day.

Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning?

Setting your air conditioning to 72°F is generally considered a comfortable indoor temperature for many people. It strikes a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency, making it a popular choice for residential settings.

Is 78 too hot for a house?

Quick answer: The ideal house temperature is room temperature, which ranges from 68 to 78 degrees F, though this may vary from season to season. In winter, the average room temperature is generally 62 to 68 degrees, whereas in the summer, the average temperature is 72 to 78 degrees.

What temperature should I set my AC to when I leave?

The recommended rule of thumb for summertime is to set the temperature to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're home and higher when you're away. In general, set it to 82 degrees Fahrenheit when you're asleep and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you're away.

What is the best temperature for AC on a low bill?

Conclusion. Finding the right AC temperature for your electricity bill is a balancing act. By setting it around 78°F and considering external factors, you can enjoy comfort and save on energy costs simultaneously. Remember, small adjustments can lead to significant savings over time.

Is It Cheaper to Leave Your Heating on Constantly?

What temperature to keep AC on to save money?

If you don't have an ideal temperature, the DOE recommends using a baseline of 78 degrees when at home for the most savings. (Though Gall says most people are comfortable at around 75.) If that's still too warm for you, keep your ceiling fans on, and make sure they're running counterclockwise.

Which AC temperature is best for electricity bill?

Keeping a Reasonable Temperature: One will use 3 to 5 per cent less energy for each degree air conditioner is set above 25 degrees C to provide the most comfort at the least cost. Keeping ACs at (24–26 degrees C) can save electricity.

Does keeping the AC at 72 save money?

Best AC Temperature Settings While You Are Home

As you consider the most comfortable room temperature for your lifestyle and family, keep in mind that for each degree that you set your thermostat above 72 degrees, you can save up to 3% on your energy bill.

How cool should my house be if it's 100 outside?

For many of us, 70 degrees is the ideal indoor temperature, but when it is close to 100 degrees outside, your AC unit will be working quite hard to meet these expectations. Consider setting your thermostat at 75 degrees to 80 degrees in your home if the outside temperature is approaching triple digits.

What should I set my AC to in summer?

What is the Best Thermostat Setting for Summer Air Conditioner Use? Energy Star recommends the following thermostat temperatures for your air conditioner in the summer: 78°F during the day if people are home. 82°F at night if people are home.

Is it bad to keep AC at 80?

If your thermostat is set at 80+ degrees, then the humidity inside of your home can easily get up above 70%. That's much higher than the recommended ideal indoor humidity of 30-50%. Having indoor humidity above 50% can cause serious issues for your health and your home.

What is the best AC temperature for sleeping?

The best AC temperature for sleeping

The goldilocks zone: Aim for a temperature between 18°C (64°F) and 22°C (72°F) for optimal sleep comfort. Individual needs: Consider personal preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly. Some people may prefer slightly cooler or warmer settings.

Can you sleep in 78 degrees?

“Anything under 68 degrees overall is ideal for sleep. If you get too hot in the middle of the night, reduce layers of clothing or sheets, turn on fans, or drink a little cold water.”

What do people set their AC to at night?

People generally sleep best at night in rooms between 60 to 67 degrees. However, only you can determine your ideal temperature. If 67 is too cold for you, go up a few degrees until you reach a temperature that's still cool but comfortable.

Why is my AC set to 72 but reads 78?

Clean the Thermostat

Sometimes, when the room temperature doesn't match the thermostat setting, the problem could be dirt buildup on its interior parts. A dirt coating around the inner components may create excess heat and cause the thermostat to give the wrong readings.

Which mode is best for AC in summer?

Cool mode: Ideal for hot days, this mode reduces the room temperature to your desired setting. Dry mode: Perfect for humid conditions, this mode removes excess moisture from the air without significantly reducing the temperature.

How cool should my AC be able to keep my house?

Your AC has limits, no matter its age, how well it was installed, its manufacturer, etc. As a rule of thumb, when it's 95 out, your AC can cool your house to approximately 70-80. Your air conditioner will be able to cool to about 15-25 degrees from the outside temperature.

Is 76 too high for AC?

What's The Ideal AC Temperature? Generally, when you are at home, your A/C's ideal temperature is between 76- and 78-degrees Fahrenheit. If you spend most of the day away from the house, set the thermostat a few degrees higher instead of cooling your home for no reason.

What temperature do most people keep their house at in the summer?

The average summer temperature is around 71°F. In winter, this falls just a touch to 70°F. Here's a winter breakdown for thermostat settings across the U.S., according to the survey participants: 47% set it between 68°F and 71°F.

What is the cheapest temperature to keep AC on?

One great way to lower energy costs is to avoid cooling an empty house. This is especially true during the middle of the day. If everyone in your household is either at work or school, then turning the temperature to 78-80 degrees will save you a chunk of change when the energy bill arrives.

Is 73 too low for AC?

To maintain a comfortable indoor environment during the summer, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers recommends a range of 73 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. On scorching hot days, you may want to adjust your thermostat toward the higher end of that range.

Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning at night?

The National Sleep Foundation says 60-67 is a good temperature for sleep, but that might be too cold for you and increase your cooling bill. As a compromise, 70-plus degrees is a good setting.

What is the safest temperature for AC?

Hence, to take a temperature closer to 24 degrees is considered to be healthier for individuals in tropical regions like India. The ministry says that, as per the comfort chart, temperatures up to 25 degrees are quite comfortable for human body, along with the desired humidity and air movement values.

How to lower electric bill with AC?

10 Ways To Reduce Your Air Conditioning Costs This Summer
  1. Running ceiling fans. ...
  2. Plant big shade trees around your house. ...
  3. Install a smart thermostat. ...
  4. Thermostat placement. ...
  5. Think about your basement. ...
  6. Seal off any leaks. ...
  7. Evaluate your home's insulation. ...
  8. Regularly service your AC.

How long can AC run continuously?

In general, wall and window air conditioning units with smaller capacities can typically run for up to eight hours at a time before they need to rest. Larger wall and window units have a longer running time of around 10 to 12 hours, depending on their cooling power.

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